The Proposal

HER VERSION:

So Brian and I had been dating for about a year and a half and we had been seriously considering the prospect of marriage. Sometime in October, Brian was sweet enough to ask my parents for permission for my hand in marriage and my parents granted it with their blessings (after a home-cooked dinner and a 3 hour long heart-to-heart with the rentals). Although we had talked about getting hitched, I didn't think Brian would be ready (nor have the funds) to propose to me until well into the following year.

Brian had asked me in the past of what my idea of the "perfect proposal" would be. I honestly answered that I wanted a proposal that would be worthy of a one-million-viewer hit youtube video. Being the private, intimate type of person he is, Brian was not thrilled with my answer. But the charmer inside of him started brainstorming about ways to propose me off my feet.

No pressure, Brian,

Bring it on, Charlie, bring it on.

Can I just interrupt here to say that Brian is the worst secret-keeper in world. DO NOT EVER TELL HIM YOUR SECRETS. THE MAN WOULD SPILL HIS GUTS TO A DEAD TADPOLE. This has to do with the fact that Brian is acutely honest and wears his heart on his forehead. It's sweet really. But I tell him everyday: "You would make the worst spy ever. EVER." Anyways, back the story -- Brian arrived in town a few days before Christmas and immediately began his obvious scheming and plotting. He cooked up an "impromptu" trip to New York city with stays in some of the fanciest hotels in town. I did not protest. The first two days went well. They were filled with meeting friends and family so we did not have much time to ourselves. The day before Brian planned to pop the question, I rolled my ankle walking from Times Square to Little Italy. My ankle was in quite a bit of pain and I was generally exhausted from our busy schedule. Brian kept nagging me about going ice skating in the Rockefeller skating rink and I adamantly declined several times. He finally convinced me to at least go look at the venue and I reconfirmed that fact that I was in no way shoving my swollen, sore, bruised ankle into an ice skate. We decided to head to Central Park to check out the outdoor rink there (I didn't quite get Brian's sudden fascination for ice skating and it was getting borderline irritating). Brian suggested a spot on top of a massive rock to take pictures from and I wholeheartedly agreed because I would risk my life for facebook album worthy pictures anyday. Once we were at the top, I could tell from Brian's nervous demeanor that something was abrewin'. He then got on one knee, presented the ring.... and.... I IMMEDIATELY GRABBED IT FROM HIS HANDS. It was BEAUTIFUL! PERFECT! STUNNING! I LOVED IT! While Brian confessed his unconditional love for me, I admired the way the sun's rays danced off the ring. I did eventually say yes and once the reality of the moment set in, I almost - ALMOST - shed a tear. It was an overwhelming yet wonderful moment and it. was. perfect. Brian then proceeded to tell me how I had foiled his youtube-scale plans of proposing to me on the ice rink in front of the Yorkan crowds and how I could have been the next youtube sensation (sigh). But honestly. It didn't matter because at that moment, I was happier than Antoine Dodson and the Double-rainbow guy combined. Run and tell that, homeboy.

Antoine ain't got nothin' on me!

HIS VERSION:

I never thought I'd propose to a girl from Delaware.

After all, I once learned in a psychology class that proximity is the best predictor of relationship success. For Gina and I, the only way to make things work is to buy tons of flights and to Skype it up all the time. Although video chatting and flying to see each other for holidays isn't exactly the same as being together on a daily basis, we've managed to make it work. Some of my friends have warned me that it might be a bit crazy to get engaged when Gina and I have only seen each other during holidays. I decided that I don't care and that I would follow my heart. I figured that if we can grow this close despite the challenges of long distance loving, I better tie her down! The only time I ever questioned whether I wanted to ask Gina to marry me was when I saw how messy her room was and how little she cared about it. When I got over that, I started plotting to buy a ring.

Gina likes crazy ass rings. It's not surprising, though. She has a fluorescent yellow shirt with a roaring tiger on the front. She wears lingerie to bars. Of course she wants a bold engagement ring. I, on the other hand, am more traditional. Not only did Gina begin to send me photos of tons of outrageous rings, she also told me that her ideal proposal scenario would be in Yankee Stadium. My ideal proposal is somewhere secluded and sentimental to us. Still, I wanted to plan something that would be perfect for HER.



Gina's bright-ass tiger shirt.



I researched for months. Google searches ensued. Hot air balloon ride? No, that'd be awkward with the 3rd wheel stranger flying the balloon in mid air silence. Sky diving? No I'm too scared. Bungi jumping? No thanks. Air Plane banner with "will you marry me?" written on it? Too cliche. My internet searches were fruitless. So I started talking to coworkers for ideas. One woman suggested that I put a proposal in a fortune cookie. Boo. I was getting nowhere. I decided to buy a ring despite the fact that I had no proposal ideas. This was mildly stressful. I had a ring, but no plan.

I eventually decided that I would propose before Christmas in New York. I knew Gina wanted a public proposal and I found the perfect scheme. I contacted the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating rink. They have a program where they clear the ice during intermission, then without making it obvious only let two people on for a proposal. It was going to be perfect. Ice skating in NYC, tons of people, champagne at the "Top of the Rock" after. Amazing!

WRONG.

The day before my planned proposal, we walked from Time Square to Little Italy... about 40 blocks. Gina decided to wear her worn out fake Ugg boots that looked like roadkill on her feet at that point. She was limping severely by the end of that journey. Nevertheless, I started hinting that i wanted to go ice skating before we left the city. This was not to be. My plans were foiled! What were the odds that Gina would injure her foot for the first time the day before my perfect proposal that required her foot to be intact for ice skating? I was stressing hardcore. Then I realized, I was off the hook from the public proposal. This is how I wanted it anyway. It was a sign.

I decided to wait for a beautiful moment. We were walking through Central Park with my ring burning a hole in my pocket. We were having a romantic moment overlooking the Central Park Ice Skating rink and I knew this was the right time. I awkwardly fumbled for my ring, giving away the probably obvious fact that I was up to something. I got down on my knee, asked her to marry me, and thank God she said yes. All my toiling was worth it. She almost forgot I was there because she was so taken aback by the sexiness of the ring. When she finally came to her senses, we basked in the moment and started telling everyone. It was an awesome day. :)